Posts Tagged ‘Drifting Forest’

“GATS is known to many as a floating face, with jaded, droopy eyes and a long, dreaded beard. The iconic mask he paints is ubiquitous in the streets of the East Bay, and can be found on walls all over the world as well.

On May 9, the enigmatic graffiti artist’s work will also be on view at Hashimoto Contemporary (804 Sutter St., San Francisco) for his first solo show — Drifting Forest — in the gallery. Partially, the title of the show comes from the fact that GATS did most of the paintings included on found driftwood.

More than an aesthetic choice, the material of GATS’ panels and wooden sculptures are a testament to the deterioration of nature. “These skeletons of the forest are sacred as I mourn in the graveyard that is urban sprawl,” he wrote in an email interview.

Although GATS’ work is mainly found on city walls, this is a rare chance to see the artist’s potential when given more time and material options. In his new works, he abstracts recognizable features of the mask he paints, and rearranges them to form new compositions while staying true to the visual language he has developed.

There will undoubtedly be a line around the block for the opening of the show on May 9 from 6–10 p.m. Look for the full interview with GATS in next week’s Express.”